Breed Trim: Schnoodle

 

Cody before groom

Cody groom complete

Cody is a Schnauzer/Poodle cross.  As with all cross-bred dogs it is a total toss-up as to what genetics are displayed in the look and temperament.  Cody is a sensible and loving little fellow, delightfully quiet about the yard; he has a shrill bark when he does so.   He came to board with us for a weekend and finished off his stay with a full groom.  His coat is coarse and densely curly in keeping with his Poodle side.  He has a compact muscular body more towards the Schnauzer side.  Based on the longer flap of hair hanging over his eyes I had to assume that his owner preferred to bring out his Schnauzerness.  The rest of his body appeared to be pretty much the same length all over.  I had not gotten any information on length or styling from the people who dropped him off for the owner so I had to make a guess at how to proceed.  Though I ended up changing my mind, I started out with the basic Schnauzer type trim for his body but to be honest his hair was far to curly to look good done as a Schnauzer.  What I settled for was a #4 on the body, legs, ears and top of the head; a style that always looks good on curly coated dogs.  Then I shaped his face along the Schnauzer lines, brick shaped muzzle, tight down the sides of the face with a brow ridge over the eyes that did not look like the big floppy eye lashes look that he came to me with.   It is an easy care, long-lasting style that still embraces the spunkiness of his Schnauzer heritage.

A Gifting day in the shop

We had a couple my regular grooming dogs for a one night board…with the client’s request that just one, the Shih Tzu named Bunker, was to have a bath.  This presented me with the opportunity to gift away a free bath for the other dog, Chichuahua/Terrier x named Kodi.  When dogs come to board, even if it is just one night I always trim their nails anyway…every one gets a free nail trim in my shop.  It was a pleasant surprise for the client when she came to pick them up to discover that both were clean, nails trimmed and feet and face tidied.  It was kind of funny…she was apologizing for not having “a tip” for me which she felt I deserved due to several arrival and pick up time changes…when she noticed that I had groomed them both.  “Did you do them both?”…I just grinned.

There was also another dog, a Cairn Terrier named Dixie, that had been with us for 5 days that was due to go home the same day.  She hung out in the shop with the others while I was bathing, drying and tidying…so I thought I should give her a freebie too.  I love to see the look on people’s faces when I tell them that they got a free bath for their little loves.  Some are thrilled, some just take it in stride but still are pleased; either way I like to make it a point of doing this randomly.  A gift of my time and my enjoyment for the process of caring for their pets is also a gift for me.  It feels delightfully good to surprise some one with a gift for no reason.

Of course there are dogs that I do not know on a “grooming” level that come in just for boarding; those I would not randomly bathe just incase they have sensitive skin that I have not been told of.  I do, in fact have 2 dogs that have very sensitive skin that also board here from time to time.  Those are unfortunately not candidates for free baths but definitely get free nail trims.

This random gifting of grooming services is part of my Project 365/2012.  It feels good and makes others feel good about bringing their dogs to me for grooming and boarding.  It is not something that is possible for groomers who work out of large grooming businesses where prices and such are controlled by others but it is perfect for my Little Shop.

Doggie Day

We’ve had a full house the past week…much fun and activity with 10 dogs about the yard. More boarding and daycare going on than grooming but it’s all good.

Whad-up at da shop

Here is our new Cat Habitat. Mike built it for our own cats so they can safely enjoy getting outside. We ordered the initial enclosure and Mikey had his carpenterish way with it and turned an 8 foot by 4 foot pen into a 16 foot by 4 foot pen that is built right onto the shop building.Boots and Bella are still getting used to the cat door with the flap on it but seem genuinely pleased to have the extra room to run around. Mike is going to put in more walkways and a six foot tall post covered with carpet for them to climb too. I am making a couple of cat hammocks to hang in the corners. So cool and so safe from coyotes, cougars, eagles, wolves, dogs…maybe not bears though.

It may seem that not much has been going on here. In fact I have been adequately busy  with my regular customers…they trickle in one or two per week. I did have one new customer, a referral from my neighbour, but the job was a big one and I didn’t remember to take a photo of Hank. Hank is what looks like Bernese crossed with something else equally huge; his papa does not know. Anyway he came in quite matted, sporting a big scratched out chunk on his chest. The vet had shaved the chest area down around the gouging. I was able to shave the remainder of his body using a #5 blade (#10 between the back legs). He was very large and quite antsy about the whole process so I did not secure him  to the table with grooming loops. I instead used a slip lead and allowed him to turn and sit and lie down as he deemed necessary for his comfort. He is 7 years old which is not very young for a large breed so I knew it would be better for him to do it that way. It actually went quite smoothly that way. Apparently the last groomer he was to had gotten injured by the dog…I wasn’t told of this until after the job was done. Lucky for me I know well enough not to try to strictly restrain a dog that is not used to it…especially when he weighs more than I do. I only corrected him with the slip lead and a firm NO when he would attempt to get off the table otherwise he could feel free…ish and I did not strain myself to keep him in place.

The boarding end of things has been lots of fun. We seem to a set of regulars in and out for week ends and the odd week long stay. Right now we have two dogs boarding for the week. They are both regular grooming customers as well. Sadie is a 13 year old Cocker Spaniel and her neighbour, Tory, is a 13 year old Australian Shepherd. Rufus, an Airedale Terrier just went home and will be back after a week or so. I love having all of these part-time pack members around!

Bernese Mountain Dog, Border Collie, Shih Tzu lately

Tinkerbell before

Tinkerbell groomed

Otis before

Otis groomed

Cinder wet from bath

Cinder groomed

Andrew

Just a quick update on the goings on at Eldy’s Little Shop. We’ve been entertaining the regular assortment of canine friends. Rufus, Rooster and Rascal, and Sadie have come to stay and returned home. Dixie has popped by for daycare. I’ve had a few of my regular grooming buddies in for the “usual”. These dogs are newbies or at least it has be a long time since I’ve had the pleasure of their company. Tinkerbell, a tiny ShihTzu, came in for a much needed groom…it had been such a long time. She went home cute and clean ready for the upcoming wedding. Otis is a lovely well cared for ShihTzu whose coat has been kept long. But, time for a change so his first full haircut was 5/8 inch all over. He looks so cute and will be much simpler to care for. Cinder is a new friend for me. She is a Border Collie X that has been rehomed at her Gramma’s house where the burrs and forest get too caught up in her long coat. I trimmed her with a 5/8 inch blade. Andrew, a Bernese Mountain Dog, only comes in once a year when the family is out this way on vacation. His groom included a bath, brush, demat, nail trim and tidy. And, yes folks when a Bernese Mountain Dog decides to lie down on the table…I let him…it was a good time to demat and comb out his tail. He is a gentle giant…loved his company!

Full House

Rufus

Sadie

Tory

Nara

We have a full kennel this weekend…which is to say we have 4 extra dogs in our pack for the weekend. Nara, a Flat Coated Retriever, and Tory, an Australian Shepherd, are only here for the weekend. Rufus, an Airedale Terrier and Sadie, a Cocker Spaniel are here for 10 days. It was wall to wall dogs in the TV room last night, but save a grumble or two every one was well behaved and peaceful. For free outside time we separate the seniors from the young ones though. Sadie and Tory and ofcourse our own Rexy are all 13 year old and I do not want them stressed. I must say though that Rufus, who can be a way too rough pest, is treating the elders with much respect this time…at least while I’m out there supervising. Rexy has, yet again, been yanked out of a larger dog’s jaws…it was as usual his own nastiness that got him into trouble. No punctures just a slobbery mess. Never a dull moment!

Gypsy – Rottweiler

Gypsy with Freedom

Gypsy has come to board with for a few days. What a beautiful and gentle girl she is! She is well mannered and fits in wonderfully with our pack. I only corrected her by voice once for paying too much attention to cranky old Rexy and she has been excellant since. She now simply turns away from him and that works prefectly.

Mocha-Australian Kelpie, Jib-Border Collie

Jib, Freedom, Zak, Mocha

This week we have  Mocha, an Australian Kelpie and Jib, a Border Collie in our boarding kennel. The are very smart and sensitive dogs whose herding skills are truly being tested by our Standard Poodles. Poodles, apparently, do not make very good sheep but these two herding dogs do manage to circle them up and make them stand still every once in a while. They have excellant manners and settle down quietly with every one in the house. Mocha has a very strong and forceful personality therefore,Rexy our snarky old Pom/Poo, is in segregation for the duration so as not to wreak havoc.

Rooster and Rascal

Rooster is a 2 year old chocolate Lab and his buddy Rascal is a 1 year old Golden Retriever. In this photo Rascal is about 6 months old only. I forgot to get an update shot. He is now taller than Rooster.They stayed with us for the weekend while their folks went off for a night in Jasper. They are the sweetest. They are both rather timid but very cooperative and come when called always. They got along with our boys just fine…even old Rexy enjoyed their company. After their bath today they were off home again but I look forward to having them as guests again.

Rascal and Rooster

Pebbles King Charles Cavalier

Pebbles and Boots

Pebbles came in for her regular groom yesterday. She is a King Charles Cavalier that is kept with a short coat. I use a #7 all over for her trim and leave the whiskers. She has a lovely soft and thick coat and short or long she is as cute as can be. The shop cats both love to be around her.

Rufus having fun

Rufus, the Airedale that has been boarding with us for the past two weeks went home. He loves to visit but really loves to go home!